Complete organization work
In the 2025 AFC U-20 Championship qualifiers, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has entrusted the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to organize Group A in Hai Phong from September 21 to 29. In addition to host Vietnam, this group also includes Syria, Guam, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
U.20 Vietnam team during training trip in Japan
The AFC U-20 Championship qualifiers will feature 55 teams divided into 10 groups (5 groups of 5 teams and 5 groups of 4 teams). The 10 group winners and the 5 best runners-up will qualify for the 2025 AFC U-20 Championship finals with host China.
VFF has surveyed the facilities at Lach Tray Stadium (Hai Phong), where Group A of the AFC U-20 Championship qualifiers will be held. Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, President of VFF, praised the local Organizing Committee for quickly repairing and completing the facilities to prepare for the tournament. The stands are being cleaned, the grass field is being cared for after the storm to meet the professional conditions for the teams to compete. In addition, training locations and medical work are also carefully prepared, meeting the strict requirements of the AFC.
Currently, Hai Phong has welcomed teams to practice in preparation for the tournament. The U.20 Vietnam team also moved from the VFF Youth Football Training Center to Hai Phong to have practice sessions to get familiar with the field.
“When the AFC entrusted us to organize the qualifying round of Group A, we worked closely with Hai Phong to ensure the tournament took place in the best way, fully meeting professional requirements to help the matches take place well and beautifully,” said VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan.
Aiming for the top spot
The U.20 Vietnam team led by coach Hua Hien Vinh has made careful preparations with the goal of winning the top spot in Group A to officially qualify for the U.20 Asia finals. The Vietnamese players have had a training trip to Ehime Prefecture (Japan) and have been arranged to play against teams with similar professional levels.
Coach Hua Hien Vinh said that playing with teams in Japan helps young players get exposed to diverse playing styles, thereby improving themselves as well as making professional progress.
According to experts, if U.20 Vietnam plays at their best, they can take the top spot in Group A because of home field advantage and the support of fans. In this group, only U.20 Syria is considered to be on par with U.20 Vietnam. This team has good physique and fitness as well as plays good aerial balls, so Vietnamese players need to have a solution to defend aerial balls to neutralize the strength of their opponent from West Asia.
Among the remaining 3 teams, U.20 Bangladesh is also highly rated and promises to cause a surprise. Other teams such as Guam and Bhutan are considered weaker than U.20 Vietnam.
According to football expert Doan Minh Xuong, although U.20 Vietnam has home field advantage, they must not be complacent, must play cautiously against opponents and avoid mistakes that led to defeat at the U.19 Southeast Asian tournament held in July in Indonesia.
To help the U.20 Vietnam coaching team have more professional advice from experienced people, VFF has appointed coach Phan Thanh Hung as team leader and professional advisor. Coach Phan Thanh Hung's experience and talent can help coach Hua Hien Vinh achieve the set goals.
Coach Hua Hien Vinh said that U.20 Vietnam will play with focus and try to score many goals against teams considered weaker, so that if they do not win the top spot in the group, they can compete for one of the 5 second-place spots to qualify for the 2025 U.20 Asian Cup finals.
Meeting and encouraging the U.20 Vietnam team, Mr. Tran Anh Tu, Vice President of VFF, expressed: “We must be present in the final round. This is not a matter of achievement, but when present in the final round, the players will have the opportunity to compete with strong teams of the continent to improve their level.”
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